What easy upgrades for a 2013 base?

I'm still getting used to my new 2013 4-cyl access cab base model Taco, and I'm finding lots of interesting stuff here to tweak. I've never been a "car (or truck) guy", so I know that if I don't make any upgrades I want relatively soon, I'll just get used to the truck the way it is and they'll never happen.

I already have a hitch and the OEM-ish tailgate camera coming in, and I'm assembling pieces for the A-pillar phone mount.

I'm hoping I might find a pick-a-part with the steering controls/cruise/intermittent wipers, since I need all of those and would rather not pay for new. I've seen some mention here of needing to replace the clockspring--is there a way to know if I need that as well before I start mucking with the airbag?

Any other creature comforts I should consider for a daily driver? Or any maintenance issues I need to be on the lookout for (currently at 55K miles)?

Edit to add progress:

• Viper alarm/keyless entry (installed by previous owner)
• Cheap floor mats $30
• Cheap seat covers $25
• Bed mat $48
• Receiver hitch
  $161 Reese Towpower 51146 Class III Custom-Fit Hitch with 2" Square Receiver opening
  $114
• Cabin filter
  $13 FRAM Fresh Breeze Cabin Air Filter with Arm & Hammer Baking Soda, CF10374 for Dodge/Toyota Vehicles
  $10
• Backup camera $194
• USB charging port
  $20 Cllena Dual USB Port Charger Socket Quick Charge 3.0 & 2.4A for Toyota
  $20 (w/ add-a-circuit
  $10 10 Pack - EPAuto 12V Car Add-a-circuit Fuse TAP Adapter Mini ATM APM Blade Fuse Holder
  $1)
• Uni-filter
  $20 Uni Filter UP-107 1" Clamp-On Breather
  $14
• A-pillar RAM mount
  $13 RAM Mounts RAM-B-367U Motorcycle Handlebar Clamp Base with M8 Bolts with B Size 1" Ball
  $10 + $6 + $9 +
  $36 RAM Mounts X-Grip Universal Phone Holder with Ball RAM-HOL-UN7BU with B Size 1" Ball
  $26
• $22 Vehicle OCD - Glove Box Organizer for Toyota Tacoma (2005-2015) - Made in USA
  Glove box &
  $18 Vehicle OCD - Center Console Organizer for Toyota Tacoma (2005-2015) - Made in USA
  Console organizers $27
• Dynamat box #1: rear panel/pillars/floor and driver side access door (inside & out)
  $205 Dynamat 10455 18" x 32" x 0.067" Thick Self-Adhesive Sound Deadener with Xtreme Bulk Pack, (9 Sheets) , Black
  $150
• Cruise control $13
• Steering wheel audio & phone controls $50 (used; TacomaWorld forums)
• Intermittent wiper stalk $45 (used; ebay)
• Dynamat box #2: passenger side access door and both front doors (inside & out) $150

In progress:

• Trailer wiring

 

I've been searching recently. Your 2013 back-upcamera should show up in your rear view mirror. There is a harness that will make it show thru the TV screen, on your radio. I haven't done it, but harness is available on ebay for, I think, $69.

 

another user here recommended some glove box and center console organizers when I got my Tacoma. They are really awesome and a cheap upgrade. Search Amazon and they'll pop up

 

LED interior lights and Gashole are useful as well.

 

Oem bedmat is super useful
Maybe a rear diff fluid an cabin filter change.

 

I have this arriving today; hopefully that's all I need to get it working with the OEM radio. I have a dumb rear view.

Heh, I had no clue that was a thing--I haven't even had to fill up yet. Similarly, haven't driven much at night yet, so haven't decided if I feel the LEDs are necessary.

Already got a 4'x6' stable mat from Tractor Supply Co and cut it to fit. Pretty easy to cut with a standard utility knife, and there's only one little corner of the bed that isn't covered. Already put in a carbon cabin filter, hoping it'll help clear the air a bit (it's not bad, but the truck was clearly smoked in at some point). Will have to read up on the rear differential--completely outside of my experience. Thanks!

 

Seems a little silly at first, but I can see how these would be pretty useful.

----

The more I read, the more confused I get on the steering wheel controls. I'm still not certain if I need a new clockspring/spiral cable or not, and it looks like the OEM part is over $200. Anyone have any guidance here?

I'm also finding a number of parts for the "steering pad", but the diagrams often show different items on the same part number, and I can't get a good feel for which part is which, much less what I actually need for a 2013 base model. Not to mention the fact that the MSRP is all over the place for what appear to be pretty similar items.

84250-04010-B0 - $221.70 - ?
84250-04020-B0 - $455.35 - ?
84250-04020-C0 - $455.35 - presumably same as B0 in a different color
84250-04030-B0 - $421.76 - ?
84250-04040-B0 - $153.78 - Silver - 4-way diamond + center & back; mode; volume up/down; 2-way phone diamond; voice - Fits ?
84250-04040-C0 - $153.78 - same as B0 in Black
84250-04050-B1 - $481.47 - ?
84250-04050-B2 - $481.47 - presumably same as B1 in a different color
84250-04050-C2 - $481.47 - presumable same as B1 in a different color
84250-04070-B0 - $444.14 - ?
84250-04080-B0 - $548.64 - ?
84250-04080-B1 - $548.64 - presumably same as B0 in a different color
84250-04080-C0 - $548.64 - presumably same as B0 in a different color

If anyone can help fill in the blanks, I'd greatly appreciate it!

 

Welcome to the site. For the 2.7L, I cannot recommend enough swapping to an LCE header. Aside to changing to lighter alloy wheels, the header is the best single mod you can do to it.

 

Do you have a 5 lug or 6 lug truck?

 

5 lugs

 

Cruise control, fog lights, ditch lights, intermittent wipers, 235/75/15 tires, tow hitch, back up cam. Just a few off the top of my head

 

I bought my 2015 Sport new, added bed mat, floor mats, vent visors and seat covers (for the mutt). Yeah, I got used to it, never looked back, and 5 years later it runs and looks like the day I bought it.

 

I tried digging around on here a bit to see what this was and why I'd want to do it, and got only a vague notion of "power and torque". Any better explanation of what a non-car-guy will get for the $500? I did see one mention that it may affect noise level?

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-ultimate-headlight-upgrade-h4-not-led-or-hid.398066/

 

Poke your nose into build threads and see what you like. I did a lot of reading after doing the simple ones like wipers and camera.

 

I would recommend heated seats there’s a nice kit on ebay for about $80-90
I also like the plastic console diveder that’s like $8 Amazon
I just picked up a bed matt from the awesome deal for $75 shipped
Mabey an upgraded radio for Applecarplay haveing google maps and waze is really handy
If want to splurge new rims and tires
And a custom grill from homertaco

 

Well I think $500 is well spent on power and torque and yield a little bit better mpg. It's the little things that helps out the 2.7. As for noise, didn't notice any change from switching it out.

 

Right foot mod and keeping the roof clear are both free and yield much more consistent results. Speed and drag affect mpg much more than gross weight on flat ground, at least on the I4, probably because there's less power to spare. Roof racks look cool but stuff mileage on a 2.7L, without one it takes hardly any right foot to maintain freeway speed but with one there's a noticeable difference. I lose about 2 mpg every tank I run with just a couple Thule bars regardless of what I load under the shell. On hills is where dead weight is more of an issue. For that reason despite my lust for a sexier rack I'll be keeping the more easily removed separate bars.

 

If it rains where your at, I would highly recommend the intermittent wipers. Drove me crazy until I opened my wallet. Not hard, and you don't have to mess with the airbag.

 

Amazon fog light kit. Cheap, everything included, suprisingly helpful/bright for being sub $40. Hardest part of wiring is getting wires into the cab through the rubber boot your main harness travels through, not too bad though.